(Al Jazeera Media Network) The situation in Niger “remains fluid” a day after mutinous soldiers detained toppled President Mohamed Bazoum and announced they had seized power in a coup because of the West African country’s deteriorating security situation.
Tensions remain high between supporters of the coup and people loyal to the deposed government, said Al Jazeera’s Ahmed Idris, who has reported extensively on Niger.
Supporters of the coup ransacked and set fire to the headquarters of the governing party in the capital Niamey on Thursday. Plumes of black smoke billowed from the building after hundreds of coup supporters who had gathered in front of the National Assembly moved there.
A statement tweeted by the army command’s account declared that it would back the coup to avoid a “murderous confrontation” that could lead to a “bloodbath”.
Meanwhile, Bazoum defiantly declared that democracy would prevail in the country.
Bazoum – who was elected in 2021 in Niger’s first peaceful, democratic transfer of power since its independence from France in 1960 – appeared to have the backing of several political parties. He is a key ally in the West’s efforts to battle a rebellion linked to al-Qaeda in Africa’s Sahel region.
“The hard-won achievements will be safeguarded. All Nigeriens who love democracy and freedom will see to it,” Bazoum tweeted early on Thursday.
Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massoudou issued a similar call on news network France 24, asking “all Nigerien democratic patriots to stand up as one to say no to this factious action.”
He demanded the president’s unconditional release and said talks were continuing.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who spoke to Bazoum by phone on Wednesday, told reporters on Thursday that he was “extremely worried” about the situation in Niger and warned of the “terrible effects on development” and civilians due to “successive unconstitutional changes of government in the Sahel region.”
The Economic Community of West African States sent Benin President Patrice Talon to lead mediation efforts.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/7/27/niger-situation-remains-fluid-as-army-backs-coup-plotters
